Amount of RAM

KoLAddict · 12-27-2008, 05:38 AM

Ok, so I was wondering, I know 32-bit Windows Vista can only recognize 3.5GB of RAM, but what happens to the other 500MB of RAM I have in my computer, is it wasted or is it still used even if it isn't recognized?

I ask because my new mobo has 4 slots for RAM and can utilize 8GB in total. I know 64bit vista can recognize all the RAM, but for 32bit Vista and XP, will it still be used or will it be wasted?

Note, I'm not actually planning on upping beyond the 4GB I have, I'm just curious.

**magnethead** · 12-27-2008, 02:03 PM

The other 512 to 768 MB of RAM is used by the system to help process IRQ's and other addressings.

KoLAddict · 12-28-2008, 01:45 AM

Thanks.

Now, if I did upgrade to 16GB of RAM because my mobo can support it, would the 4.5GB of unread memory be used by the system?

**wrench97** · 12-28-2008, 04:22 AM

No anything over 4 Gig is just wasted.

12-27-2008, 05:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
KoLAddict Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 454 OS: XP	Amount of RAM Ok, so I was wondering, I know 32-bit Windows Vista can only recognize 3.5GB of RAM, but what happens to the other 500MB of RAM I have in my computer, is it wasted or is it still used even if it isn't recognized? I ask because my new mobo has 4 slots for RAM and can utilize 8GB in total. I know 64bit vista can recognize all the RAM, but for 32bit Vista and XP, will it still be used or will it be wasted? Note, I'm not actually planning on upping beyond the 4GB I have, I'm just curious.

12-27-2008, 02:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
magnethead Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 3,570 OS: Vista ultimate 32bit My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Amount of RAM The other 512 to 768 MB of RAM is used by the system to help process IRQ's and other addressings. __________________ For proper support: what are you running? graphics, cpu, m/board, ram, PSU brand wattage PCI-E requires 26 amps at 12 volts. That's a 650W PSU. Power Supply Info and Selection . Info on thermal compounds & application . TEST PSU USING MULTI-METER . Bench Testing Your System

12-28-2008, 01:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
KoLAddict Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 454 OS: XP	Re: Amount of RAM Thanks. Now, if I did upgrade to 16GB of RAM because my mobo can support it, would the 4.5GB of unread memory be used by the system?

12-28-2008, 04:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,527 OS: Win7	Re: Amount of RAM No anything over 4 Gig is just wasted. __________________ Power Supply and Selection